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Ahead of the US-Japan summit, the two countries defined China as "the biggest strategic challenge".



In addition, in response to North Korea's provocation, it was decided to further strengthen trilateral cooperation between Korea, the United States, and Japan, as Correspondent Kim Jong-won reports from New York.



[ Reporter



] At the meeting of the foreign and defense ministers of the two countries, held one day before the US-Japan summit, the United States expressed its full support for Japan's decision to retain counterattack capabilities.



[Tony Blincoln/US Secretary of State: I applaud Japan's decision to double its defense budget by 2027.

Japan's strategy is consistent with the US national security strategy.]



The two countries identified China as 'the greatest strategic challenge' and agreed to strengthen their readiness posture in the Indo-Pacific region.



To this end, we decided to deploy US Marine Corps forces equipped with mobility in Okinawa, Japan.



[Lloyd Austin/US Secretary of Defense: Japan and the United States are concerned about China's actions that harm stability.

I emphasize once again that the United States promises to defend Japan with impunity.]



He also emphasized trilateral cooperation between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan, voicing one voice on the complete denuclearization of North Korea.



While President Yoon Seok-yeol mentioned that if the North Korean nuclear issue becomes serious, it is possible to arm itself with nuclear weapons, and said that cooperation with South Korea and other allies should be strengthened in all areas, including outer space and cyberspace.



[Tony Blincoln/US Secretary of State: Last October, North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile over Japan, and we are facing North Korea's illegal and reckless missile launches.

We are further strengthening cooperation among the three countries, including South Korea.]



At the US-Japan summit held tomorrow (13th), President Biden is expected to express strong support for Japan's counterattack capabilities, and North Korea and more Furthermore, the security honeymoon relationship between the United States and Japan to contain China is deepening.



(Video coverage: Lee Sang-wook, video editing: Cho Moo-hwan)